The main ingredients behind the illusion are a two-way mirror (transparent side facing out), a 27-inch computer monitor (to display the text and graphics), a Raspberry Pi (as a pocket-sized processor), wood (for the exterior), and time.

The mirror and the monitor. (Reddit user JoyousTourist)

In a comment, Pierce estimates the materials cost about $300—including the price of coffee.

Pierce custom-built a frame for the monitor, which he programmed to display the date, time, and weather through the Raspberry Pi:

Reddit user JoyousTourist

Here, light from the monitor shines through the mirror as the device boots up:

Reddit user JoyousTourist

Pierce shared a photo of the finished product—and the “happy recipient” who was lucky enough to get this for Christmas:

Reddit user JoyousTourist

Unfortunately, as Snow White taught us, magic mirrors tend to bring out people’s competitive side—and commenters were quick to note that Pierce isn’t the only programmer to take a crack at constructing a magic mirror worthy of Disney.

The day before, redditor ComputerPlayerOne built a mirror similar to Pierce’s—with a few important upgrades.

Instead of flashing random compliments at the bottom of the screen, the monitor displays inspirational quotes (compiled in a site created exclusively for the mirror):

Reddit user ComputerPlayerOne

In a comment, ComputerPlayerOne notes two other enhancements: “I also linked my calendar and included the forecast in the weather.”

User LearningCS6 developed an even more sophisticated version of the two-way smart mirror—complete with speakers, voice control, and a range of apps:

Perhaps one day all of these homemade innovations will be eclipsed by a mass-market version that condenses all of the materials and work into one conveniently prepackaged gadget, available for purchase by evil queens everywhere. But until then, these magic mirrors look especially amazing today.